The Apple Of My Eye

What is it like when confronted with a mythical future?

“You want to meet him? There he is now.” Jimmy tugged at his sister’s arm. Nancy hadn’t been on a date in forever. Even talking to a man gave her the stutters. Maybe a mythical man would be different.

“He’s got a good throwing arm, doesn’t he?” She allowed herself to be drawn towards the Starbuck’s window.

“They say he never stops, walks in his sleep casting apple seeds wherever he goes.”

“Must be tough on his shoes. Maybe we could give him a ride.” Nancy felt a sudden tingle of interest in meeting the man. “You could drive slow and he could toss seeds out the window.”

“Ifr we’re going to do it, we’d better get a hurry on. Peters, the local constable, wants to fine him for littering. If Johnny can’t pay up, it’s jail time.”

It got Nancy in motion. This wasn’t a date, it was a rescue mission. She could see Peters arguing with the head of the city council not half a block away. Words from their conversation made it to her ears. “Sir, the tourist trade has picked up since he stumbled into our locale. He’s one of a kind.,”

“I wonder if I could get his autograph,” Nancy wondered aloud. “Maybe trade cell phone numbers. Be there if he needs a little extra help.”

Jimmy’s smile grew broader. “Peters is busy. Most in town think Johnny is a weirdo and are staying clear. Let’s walk with him awhile. Get acquainted.”

“Nice village,” said Johnny as they approached. “Farmers market for apples, seeds, and sapling sales were sky high. People are a bit stand-offish, though.”

“May we walk with you?” Nancy found herself accepting a bag of apple seeds. Jimmy helped her sling its loop around her shoulder. She began imitating Johnny’s reach, cup, draw out and throw technique.

“Nice, babe.You are the apple of my eye.” Johnny flashed a toothy grin at her.

“Got a rock in my shoe. I’ll catch up.” Jimmy had no intention of doing so. Three would be a crowd.

“What do you do when your sack is empty?” Nancy wanted to know.

“Never happen. Get my bags the same mythical place Santa gets his. His toys never run out. My seeds just keep on coming. Sprout wherever they're thrown.”

“Doesn’t that cause a problem?”

Johnny looked startled. “It would if they were your standard variety of apple trees. Not so with mythical ones.You are a believer. Most put me and what I do out of their minds as soon as their cell phone messages them.”

“Jimmy says you never stop, even do this walking in your sleep.”

“That’s horse pucky. I’m like any other man in most respects.” Johnny eyed Nancy up and down. “You are a fine figure of a woman.”

“Apple a day keeps the doctor away,” laughed Nancy, enjoying being flirted with for the first time in her life. Johnny was so easy to talk to. Other men she’d met bored her with sports or put her off with a stale old come on.

“There’s a reason Eve offered Adam an apple in the Garden of Eden, you know.”

“Wanted to smarten him up.” Nancy laughed. She found herself humming then singing, "Don't go under the apple tree with anyone else but me.”

“An old favorite.”

They walked under shade and sun for a while, talking like old friends, sometimes with a hint of something more. “I’ve gotten tired of wandering, Nancy. Before now, there was never a reason to stop.”

“Oh, no. You couldn’t, Johnny.” She wasn’t prepared for this turn of events. It was so sudden, but from the look in his eyes, she could tell it wasn’t sudden at all for Johnny Appleseed.

“My days never change. I never change. You’ve changed me, Nancy. I can’t go back.”

There was a finality in the expression of those words that scared her. “Yes, you can. You must.”

“Only if you go with me. You have made me realize I am only half whole without you.”

‘Oh, Johnny.” Nancy felt herself being swept off her feet. It wasn’t an entirely uncomfortable feeling. “Think what you are saying. We’ve known each other for barely a few hours.”

“You are right. We need more time together.” Johnny stopped throwing seeds to face her. “There is a mythical place we can go where time stands still. It is the home I go to when I can no longer stand roaming. May I show it to you?”

“Is it far?”

“It is only a wish away. Take my hands. Close your eyes.”

Nancy felt the gentle brush of his lips upon hers for the briefest of moments that felt like forever. “Come,” whispered Johnny, his breath warm on her face. When she opened her eyes, they were there.

Birdsong filled the air. Waves of long stemmed meadow grass tickled her legs. Before them a path led towards a rustic cabin with smoke curling from its stone chimney. There was a yellow dog wagging its tail at their approach. The smell of fresh baked bread and hot stew welcomed them inside.

“We can stay here as long as we want.” Johnny stretched out on the bed.

There was no sense of urgency. The food could wait. Nancy settled down beside him,enclosed safely in his arms. As night sprinkled the sky with stars they slept, each in their own dreams. They awoke to the eye of the moon lighting their faces and ate, shared their dreams, and slept again.

During the day, their dreams became one when they became one. It was as natural as taking a next breath. Nancy sent word to Jimmy they might be a while. She ended the note with this - May it never end.